Private golf cart sales have been steadily increasing in the United States, especially private sales to individuals living in the southern and southwestern United States. This rise has seen more golf carts on the road in community developments over traditional cars, leading Landscape Architects and planners to now include golf cart amenities in their designs.

 

According to Builder magazine, these accommodations include designated golf cart parking, multi-purpose trail networks, small-scale wayfinding, and golf cart garages integrated within home designs. As some HOAs in these planned communities implement electric-only rules for golf cart owners, they are supporting this with electric charging stations along internal transportation corridors and at community facilities.

Over the last five years, golf cart sales in the United States have increased with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.6%, according to analysts at IBISWorld. With a current market value of $1.7 billion, this industry is predicted to increase 6.4% per year between now and 2034, resulting in a market value of $3.2 billion, according to Global Market Insights. The regions contributing to the most growth include the South and the Southwest, directly related to the increased development in active retirement communities, tourism and resort properties, and increasing urbanization. By 2032, Persistence Market Research predicts that the southern U.S. will make up over 30% of the U.S. Market Share.

As more of these communities are built, the convenient transportation golf carts provide will be in greater demand, thereby also increasing the need for designs to accommodate this growing trend.